CarlA.Kruse

Carl was born June 3, 1949, in Winona, Minn., to Wallace Claude and Mary Margaret Sawyer Kruse. Due to frequent family moves, he grew up in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Wadsworth, Ohio, Westfield and Lake Mohawk, N.J., and Freeport, Ill. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1967. He then attended Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill., and Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., and graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1973. In 1972, he married Sue Shaffer, the love of his life. They were blessed with two daughters, and eventually four grandchildren. Family was everything, and he actively encouraged all in their varied interests, from sports, to music, to horsemanship. In turn, they christened him "Mr. Wonderful" and "O King of Mine."

Growing up, he was the kid who couldn't sit still. Harnessing this boundless energy, he ran cross country and track, took up competitive bowling, played murderous games of ping-pong and croquet, and developed a lifelong talent for golf. Carl loved holidays. Family traditions included Fourth of July fireworks, "ginormous" Easter egg hunts, mammoth Christmas cookie baking marathons with the grandkids, and the Kentucky Derby. Autumn leaves meant raking up huge leaf mountains to jump into. And any morning started better with pancakes. Grilling outside was a year-round event, even in the snow. He found delight in simple things. We'll miss hearing his "holy moly" in response to a good golf shot, fresh flowers from the farmers market, squirrels at the bird feeder, a new cellphone app, and recently, the total solar eclipse.

Life was an adventure. His eternal optimism, enthusiasm and sense of humor meant all things are possible. He was a natural salesman of products and ideas, whose career path led to Rochester, N.Y., Zionsville, Ind., Castle Rock, Colo. and Sandy, Utah, while working for Beecham Products, Mobile Chemical, Bunzl and Anchor. Following a move to Marthasville in 1996, he became partner in Red Rock Packaging. His entire career involved extensive travel throughout the U.S., making him a true road warrior. He attained millionmile status with at least one airline, and thought nothing of 1,000-mile road trips, sometimes with family in tow. In recent years, Sue often traveled with him, enjoying the sights while Carl tended to business.

A celebration of life service was held Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington, following a memorial visitation from 5 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to The First Tee, a nonprofit organization serving and developing youth through golf, 425 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092 or the , P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Notify Friends and Family

Add the email addresses of friends or family members you'd like to notify about this obituary.

To: *Invalid To Email

From: *Invalid From Email

Message:

Optional

Please provide me with special offers and discounts from Legacy.com and selected partners.Emails will be sent directly from Legacy.com. We respect your privacy and will not sell your information to a third party. You may opt out at any time. See privacy policy for details.